Allow me to take a moment to highlight the start time of tonight’s MLB slate. Lock is 6:05 p.m. ET. It’s a weird one, so make sure to write it down or use a fun mnemonic device to remember it. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Let’s find some studs and values on the diamond.
Set your DraftKings fantasy baseball lineups here: MLB $150K Relay Throw [$50K to 1st]
For up-to-the-minute news, analysis and lineups, download the DK Network app. You also can follow DK Network on Twitter @dknetwork.
PITCHER
Stud
Luis Castillo, Seattle Mariners at Los Angeles Angels, $9,200 – It’s been a bit of an underwhelming season for Castillo, though his bar is so high, that still means a 3.72 ERA and a 3.82 SIERA across 111.1 innings of work. Castillo looked great his last trip to the mound, allowing a single earned run over 6.2 innings and registering 30.6 DKFP — the third time he’s exceeded the 30.0 DKFP threshold in 2024. That’s the type of ceiling we’re getting with the RHP. It’s a good matchup on Thursday, too. The Angels have struggled to hit in the past two weeks, sitting 27th in wRC+ (87) and 28th in ISO (.127).
Value
Shane Baz, Tampa Bay Rays vs. New York Yankees, $7,200 – There are a couple interesting value options on this slate, but with Jake Bloss ($6,200) likely on a pitch count, Baz is my main target. The former top prospect looked good last week in his first MLB start since 2022, striking out six opponents over six innings against the Rangers. That’s consistent with Baz’s career 28.3% strikeout rate. In terms of matchup, this is a great time to face the Yankees. New York’s lineup is ice cold in July, ranking 28th in both wOBA (.282) and wRC+ (83) for the month. Yikes.
INFIELD
Stud
Ketel Marte, Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Atlanta Braves, $5,400 – When in doubt, use Marte against a left-handed pitcher, even if said lefty is Max Fried ($8,800). Marte has destroyed every LHP he’s seen in 2024 to the tune of a .333 average and a 189 wRC+. Also, if you’re into the whole BvP thing, Marte is 4-for-11 with a home run and a 1.144 OPS off Fried in their careers. Not too shabby.
Stud
Cal Raleigh, Seattle Mariners at Los Angeles Angels, $4,500 – Raleigh’s been hovering around the Mendoza line all season long, but the switch-hitting backstop does possess ample amounts of pop. Raleigh has 17 home runs in 2024, three of which have come so far in July, a month where the 27-year-old boasts a 161 wRC+ in 35 plate appearances. He’s a vital part of any Mariners stack, which is definitely a viable strategy with Jack Kochanowicz ($4,000) on the mound for the Angels. This will be Kochanowicz’s MLB debut. Heck, it’ll be the first time he’s pitched above Double-A, a place where he owns a 5.41 ERA across the past two years.
Value
Yandy Diaz, Tampa Bay Rays vs. New York Yankees, $4,100 – Diaz isn’t as cheap as the players I usually write up as values, but that doesn’t change the fact that he’s underpriced. The former All-Star was horrendous to begin 2024, but he’s been his usual self since the start of May, slashing .293/.347/.435 with a 127 wRC+. In that same span, Diaz has specifically crushed LHPs, managing a .373 average and a 180 wRC+ in his 55 plate appearances within the split. Nestor Cortes ($8,300) would be wise to tread lightly with the Rays leadoff man.
OUTFIELD
Stud
Yordan Alvarez, Houston Astros vs. Miami Marlins, $5,700 – You’ll have to keep an eye on Alvarez. The All-Star left Wednesday’s contest due to hip tightness, so there’s a chance he’s not in the lineup for tonight’s tilt with Roddery Munoz ($6,500) and the Marlins. I really, really hope he is, though. Munoz is a perfect matchup for Alvarez, who currently sports a .398 expected wOBA and a 155 wRC+. Munoz has faced 92 LHBs in 2024. Those opponents have combined for 10 home runs and a .741 slugging percentage. Those are video game numbers.
Stud
Luke Raley, Seattle Mariners at Los Angeles Angels, $4,200 – Raley has been red-hot against right-handed pitching since the beginning of May, slashing .276/.329/.520 with a 142 wRC+ within that span. That stretch has cemented Raley in the top-half of the Mariners’ lineup and makes him extremely viable in a matchup with not only Kochanowicz, but also a Los Angeles bullpen that sits 27th in baseball with a 4.55 ERA.
Value
Joey Loperfido, Houston Astros vs. Miami Marlins, $2,800 – If the aforementioned Alvarez isn’t available, at least make sure to get his much more affordable teammate into some lineups — especially with LHBs slashing .309/.391/.741 off Munoz. Strikeouts have been an issue for the rookie, but Loperfido has hit right-handed pitching exceedingly well in his brief time in the majors, managing a 142 wRC+ in his 74 plate appearances within the split.
Set your DraftKings fantasy baseball lineups here: MLB $150K Relay Throw [$50K to 1st]
The Crown Is Yours: Sign up for DraftKings and experience the ultimate host for games and betting experiences!
All views expressed are my own. I am an employee of DraftKings and am ineligible to play in public DFS or DKSB contests.
